Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 13458Sexual offence against a child (Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017) · Co. Offaly

Sentencing adjourned for man who contacted 10-year-old girl on Snapchat, Tullamore

A 32-year-old man befriended a 10-year-old girl in the Midlands on Snapchat and sent her messages and an image of a sexual nature. Gardaí received a phone call from the child's mother in March 2022. In April the man pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court to an offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. At a sentencing hearing on 15 June 2025, finalisation of sentencing was adjourned to 10 October, with a €500 bond, no contact with the victim or her mother, and no social media access ordered.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted15 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 32-year-old man befriended a 10-year-old girl on Snapchat and sent her messages and an image of a sexual nature.
  • In one video the man showed his face, and his penis could be seen.
Where
  • The offence concerned a girl in the Midlands, and the man is from a different part of Leinster.
  • The court hearing took place at Tullamore Circuit Court in County Offaly.
When
Gardaí received a phone call from the child's mother in March 2022.
Investigation
  • The man's phone was seized and analysed, but no record of Snapchat was found on it.
  • A relative had wiped the phone, believing they were acting in his best interest.
  • When detained and interviewed, the man exercised his right to silence.
Charges
The man pleaded guilty in April to an offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
In court
The prosecution said the maximum sentence for the class of offence was two years, and the judge said the offence was very serious.
Sentence
  • Finalisation of sentencing was adjourned to 10 October.
  • The man was ordered to enter a €500 bond, with no contact with the victim or her mother and no access to any social media account.
Other details
  • The man was on bail at the time of the offence and had 78 previous convictions, the most serious being for aggravated sexual assault in 2013.
  • The investigating detective sergeant agreed that the defendant has schizophrenia and significant cognitive issues.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 32-year-old man befriended a 10-year-old girl on Snapchat and sent her messages and an image of a sexual nature. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatIn one video the man showed his face and his penis could be seen. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe hearing took place at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenGardaí received a phone call in March 2022 from the child's mother. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe man's phone was seized and analysed but no record of Snapchat was found on it. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA relative had wiped the phone, believing they were acting in his best interest. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationWhen detained and interviewed, the man exercised his right to silence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe man pleaded guilty in April to an offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the maximum sentence for the class of offence was two years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the offence was very serious. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceFinalisation of sentencing was adjourned to October 10. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was ordered to enter a €500 bond to have no contact with the victim or her mother. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe man is to have no access to any social media account. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had 78 previous convictions, the most serious being for aggravated sexual assault in 2013. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man was on bail at the time of the offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe investigating detective sergeant agreed the defendant had schizophrenia and significant cognitive issues. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jun2025
    Convictedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Tullamore Court hears sex offender 'befriended' 10-year-old Midlands girl on Snapchat

    Sentencing hearing at Tullamore Circuit Court. The man pleaded guilty in April. Finalisation of sentencing was adjourned to 10 October, with a €500 bond and no social media access ordered.

    convicted, 32, malevictim, 10, female